Expert: Edison - 12/28/2007

Question
Hi:) I'm interested in traveling to Brasil next year but am curious to know when the best time to travel would be. Considering I'm going backpacking through Europe in March, I was thinking it'd be wise to go to Brasil either late in the summer or well into the fall.  I'm 25 and love sight seeing, going to art/photography museums, experiencing a whole different culture, and a appreciate a fantastic night life. Any suggestions, considering there might be carnivals or anything cultural I might be able to experience? Oh and I know basic portuguese so I don't suppose the language barrier will be too much trouble :)

Answer
Jess,

Brazil is a very large country with fantastic places, great cultural events and wonderful people. The weather is not a big problem in Brazil. However, some places rains a lot in some months of the year and can get cold from June to August in the South.

Brazil has 4 major distinct regions: North (Rain Forest), Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast/South.

The Southeast/South is the easiest to travel, most develop, with a lot of great places, nightlife and and beautiful beaches.

The Northeast has the great nightlife, beaches and excellent cultural events.

The North and Southwest are last developed and harder to travel, but with the most wild life and natural places.

The "main" carnival is in the first week of February this year. However, the Northeast part of Brazil has a wonderful "winter" carnivals in July.

You can fly from Europe to Northeast (Recife) and then go South (via the coast). Or fly to Rio and go North. These sites have great information about places in Brazil:

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/South_America/Brazil/TravelGuide-Brazil.htm...
http://wikitravel.org/en/Brazil
http://search.lonelyplanet.com/search.do?Ntt=brazil
http://www.justbrazil.org/

Also check the following site for cultural events:

http://www.willgoto.com/1/025995/liens.aspx
http://www.istc.org/sisp/index.htm?fx=event.search